Reel Talk: "Game Night" takes home the prize

The comedy "Game Night," starring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, came out Feb. 23. The movie is about a group of friends who have a weekly game night filled with everything from charades to Pictionary. One night, one of the friends puts on an elaborate murder mystery party. But when things get a little too realistic, the friends start questioning whether the unfolding events are real or just a part of the game.

The previews for this movie promised action and humor, and both delivered. The long, continuous shots in the action scenes make for a spectacle that entertains the audience and showcases the hard work of the people behind the scenes.

The friends, who are all couples, had motivating storylines. Each couple’s dynamic was a driving force in maintaining the film's pacing. The film's humor keeps it moving, too. The comedy scenes were similar to "Saturday Night Live" sketches rather than quick one-liners. I found this to be a breath of fresh air from other comedies that use cursing and partying as cop-out jokes.

However, the pacing broke down near the end when the twists kept piling on, and I began to take "Game Night" less seriously. I felt like the excessive twists took me out of the movie, and I was just upset it didn’t end earlier.

There was also a boring side storyline between the main character, Max, and his brother, Brooks, portrayed by Kyle Chandler. Every time their story was the focus, I was immediately uninterested because it added nothing to the script.

Overall, I would recommend saving your money and waiting to watch "Game Night" at home. It doesn’t need to be on the big screen to be enjoyed. I rate this movie a 3/5. Be sure to check back in this week for an Oscars special.

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